Combined trench-shield and helmet for soldiers.



L. M. NORWOOU. COMBINED TRENCII SHIELD AND HELMET FOR SOLDIERS.

-APPLICATION FILED NOV. l5, 1915. 1,1?7,888. Patented Apr. 4, 1916.

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@wi/infames attouwap lacy 772 7207100052 L. NORWOUD.

NCH SHIELD AND HELMET FOR SOLDIERS. APNIC/mor: FILED Nov. l5. 1915.

COMBINED THE 4 v 6l ff ufr/791W l if@ @772 72072120 0E g um I m M 61+ Y@ Paend Apr. 4, 1916.

LACY M. NORWOOD, F SAVANNAH, GEORGIA.

COMBINED TRENCH-SHIELD AND HELMET FOR SOLDIERS.

Specicaten of Letters Patent.`

Patented Apr. 4, 1916.

ApplicationA led November A15, 1915. Serial No. 61,544.

T 0 all w/iomc't may concern y Be it known that I, LACY M. NonwooD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Savannah, in the county ot' Chatham and State ot Georgia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Combined Trench-Shields and Helmets for Soldiers;

l and I do declare the following to be a full,

clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to shields to be used as armor or protection for soldiers While in battle.

One object of the invention is to provide a bullet deflecting shield which is particularly adapted for use in trench warfare.

Another object of the invention is to provide a shield of this character which is equally adapted for use as a helmet while the soldiers are advancing or retreating in battle or are fighting in the open.

A further objectv oi the invention is to provide a combined trench shield and helinet which is foldable and light and which can be easily and conveniently transported when not being used.

A still further object is to provide adevice of this character which is simple,

strong, durable and inexpensive to manufacture, efiicient, reliable, and well adapted to the purpose for which it is designed.

Vith these and other objects in view the invention consists of certain novel features of construction, and the combination and arrangement of parts which will be hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings in which similar reference characters designate like parts throughout the several views, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a device constructed in accordance with this invention showing the same set up for use at the top of a trench; Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view of the device; Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of the device showing it used as a helmet; Fig. 4 is a rear elevation of the device; and Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5--5 of Fig. 3.

T he present invention comprises a pair` of bullet deflecting metal plates 1 and 2 which may be of any suitable configuration, but which are preferably, as here shown, of tri` angular shape These plates 1 and 2 are hingedly or pivotally connected together vthe porthole 10.

along one of their edges, and to this end, each of the iormerlis provided with sockets 3, the latter being arranged in staggered relation and disposed in alinement to receive pivot pins et and 5. The' pivot pins may be permanently secured in position or they may be removable, in which event they are provided at their outer ends with eyes 6 which facilitate the removal ot' said pins.

The plates 1 and 2 are provided with laterally offset portions 7 along one of their edges, the portions of the former between their body portions and the offset portion 7 being provided wit-h apertures S through which are inserted pins 9, the intermediate portions of the latter being disposed adjacent said otl'set portion 7. This provides a simple and convenient manner in which to detachably secure the pins 9 to the shield when the same is not being used.

The shield is provided with a port hole 10 at the apex of the angle formed between the plates 1 and 2. This porthole 10 may be ot any desired shape and may be disposed at any convenient place along said apex. Soldered, riveted or otherwise firmly secured to the inner side of the plates 1 and 2 are loops 11 through which are passed flexible straps 12, the latter being secured to a flexible head band 13. Secured to the top of this head band 13 is a bullet proof metal plate 14, which is disposed directly beneath thel porthole 10 for a purposeto be described, and the front of said head band is provided with a similar plate 15. The back and sides of the headband may be provided with similar plates i'f desired, In addition to the-apertures 8 in the plates 1 and 9,-, the latter are provided with apertures 16 and with notches 1G disposed between the former and in alineinent therewith. EX- tending through the notches 1G are leather straps 17 having one of their ends secured to the sides of the head band 13 near the lower edge thereof. The other end oi' one of the straps 17 is provided with a suitable buckle 18 which engages the other end of the other strap 17, and connects the same together.

lVhen the device is to be used as a shield in trench fighting the head band 13 is nnbuckled and moved aside so as to uncover tioned at the top of the trench with the forward end pointing toward the enemy, the angle between the plates 1 and 2 being ad- The device is then posif justed t the will of the operator, and thel lpins 9 being removed and inserted throughy plates 1 and 2 being such as to deflect them into the air. If, however, the soldiers are advancing or retreating in battle, orI are fighting in the open, the device may be worn as a helmet, the head band lfitting snugly around the head and fastened on by the straps 17 which buckle under the chin. The metal plates 14 and 15 protect the top of the head and forehead of the wearer from bullets r fragments of shells 4which may come through the'porthole 10.

The device may be conveniently transported when it is not being used as it may be quickly and easily folded into a flat com.-

pact article, the head band collapsing be tween the inner sides of the plates 1 and 2.

From the foregoing, it may be seen that the objects of the invention have been effectively carried out, a light, simple, inexpensivev and extremely useful combined trench shield and helmet having been provided. However, it is to be understood that various minor changes in form and proportion may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of this invention, and hence I do not wish to be limited to the construction herein shown and described other than that set forthin the appended claims.

I claim 1. The combination of a pair of pivotally connected plates having a porthole therein at the apex of the angle formed between the former, and a head band detachably. secured to the inner sides of saidplates, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

1 2. The combination of apair of pivotally `connected plates having a porthole therein at the apex of the angle formed between the former, a head band detachablysecured to the inner sides of said plates, and means for holding said head band on the head of a person, substantially as and for the purpose p 3. The combination of avpair of pivotally connected plates having a porthole therein at the apex -of the angle formedbetween the former, a head band detachably secured to the inner side of said plates, and bullet proof metal plates Isecured to said head band to protect the head of the person wearingthe.

latter, substantially as and forl thepurpose set forth. l

4. The combination of a pair of pivotally connected plates having a porthole therein at the apex of the angle formed between thel former, a head band detachably secured to The soldier in the trench 'y the inner side of said plates, bullet proof metal plates secured toA said head band, and

means for holding the latter on the head of a person, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

5. The combinatinwith a pair of pivot` g ally connected triangular plates having a porthole therein at'the apex of the angle formed between theformer, a head band detachably secured to the inner side of said plates beneath the porthole therein, bulletl proof plates secured to said head band, one ofthe former being dispo 'd/ at the top of the latterdirectly beneath/sszid porthole, means for holding said head band onthe and head of a person, substantially asand for` 4 the purpose set forth.

6. The combination with a pair of-pivotally connected triangular plates having a porthole therein at the apex of the angle formed between the former, the inner side of said plates being 4provided with loops, a head band having straps engaging said loops for detachably securing the former to said plates, bullet proof plates secured to said head band, and means for holding the latter on the head of a person, substantially as andl for the purpose set forth. v

. 7. The combination with a pair of vpivotally connected triangular plates having a porthole therein atthe apex of the angle formed between the former Aand slots near :their outerV edges, the inner sides of said plates being provided with loops, a bead band having'straps passed through said loops for detachably securing the former to said plates, bullet proof plates secured to the top and sides of said head band, additional straps secured to the sides of the latter, said additional straps passing through said slots,

' and means for ad]ustably and detachabl'yatv tachlng the -ends of said straps together substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

8. A-folding 'fportable'shield of the class described comprising a pair` of pivotally connected triangularplates having a parthole therein at the apex of the angle formed angle formedVv between lsaid lates,the latter .being provided Witha late'ra ly offset portion portable shield ofthe class' -having `a porthole therein' 'at the apex of the y along another 0f theirL edges and provided -lwith apertures. at theportions connecting said offset portions -with the body portions,

a head banddetachably secured to the inner sides of said plates, and pins 'for pegging sqid shield in position to the ground, said my hand in presence of two subscribing wit; pins being inserted through said apertures nesses. when said shield is not in use, the intermediv T ate portions of the former being disposed ad- LACX M LORVOOD 5 jacent the offset portions of said plates, sub- Witnesses:

stantially :1s and for the purpose set forth. G.N. ALFORD, In testimony whereof I have hereunto set' W. B. STUBBS.

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